Ask the Expert

How can I get rid of dark circles and puffy eyes? (continued)

Firstly, as we all know, a good sleep is key to waking up refreshed. Before you go to sleep try these helpful eye tips.

1. Close your eyes and picture the most relaxing place in the world. Find your oasis. (A beach, a log cabin in the forest, a waterfall...)
2. Gently open your eyes and look into the distance.
3. Now focus on something that is an arms length away.
4. Repeat the process and feel your eyes getting heavier and heavier.

But, before heading off to blissful slumber, nourish the eye area nightly with aneffective night cream like Eminence Organic's Wild Plum Eye Cream (available at Nie Spa).

Your Morning Eye Routine

Stimulate the area surrounding the eyes first, to get the blood flowing and "wake up" tired eyes. Follow these simple steps to awaken your eye area.

1. Sitting up in bed or in front of a mirror, look at your eye contour. This is the delicate area around your eyes (your eye socket).
2. Trace the eye contour gently with your ring fingers, starting at the inner part of your eyebrows, following the hair growth, and around under the eyes. Trace three circles.
3. Tap the eye contour gently with your ring fingers, waking up the eye area. Trace three circles.
4. Apply gentle pressure to four points on the eye contour. One on the inner part of the eye brow, one in the arch of the eyebrow, one on the outer corner of the eye, and finally one under the eye. Repeat three times.

Perform this exercise while applying a lightweight eye gel. Why not try Eminence's Cucumber Eye Gel, which will provide comforting relief for irritated or puffy eyes.

"Youthful Eyes" Weekly Routine

Exfoliation in the eye area is often something we overlook in our skin care routine. Many exfoliants are far too abrasive for the delicate skin in this area, and we may not even think exfoliation is necessary. On the contrary, regular exfoliation of the eye area will help diminish any fine lines or wrinkles, keeping your eyes youthful and bright.

Use an eye exfoliant, like Naseberry Eye Exfoliant every 3 or 4 days by applying it to the eye contour and leaving it for 10 minutes. No rubbing is necessary, and the gel consistency makes it easy to apply and remove, as to not disturb the delicate skin.

Take the fight against aging one step further with deep hydration of the skin around the eyes. Using an eye masque (like Eminence's Raspberry Eye Masque) can quench thirsty skin with vitamins and herbs to fight free radical damage, reduce under eye circles, reduce swelling, tighten and plump the skin, and generally nourish and brighten the eye area.

ULTIMATE EYE TIP:

When applying ANY product to the eye area, remember that it isn't necessary to apply product to the eyelid. ONLY apply eye products to the eye contour and the natural movement of your eyes and oils in your skin will bring the product closer to the eye itself. This prevents irritation and ensures that the right amount of product is evenly distributed to the eye area.